2019 Ford Escape essentials: The crossover standard
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers three engines, the most powerful of which makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.
What is it: The Escape is Ford’s long-running compact crossover and second best selling vehicle in its stable after the F-Series. The model you see on the road most often now is the stylish third generation that began life in 2013. A new model is coming in 2020. You get three engine choices for 2019.
Key Competitors: Toyota Rav4, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V
Base Price: $35,115 As-Tested Price: $37,010
Full review: Ford Escape review
Highlights: If you like speed, get the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I4. It makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. It’s the star of this expensive show, but so are the Titanium trim mods. It comes with the foot swipe trunk opener, the parking assist feature, voice-activated touchscreen navigation and the good sound system. If you want to save few bucks the SEL trim is still very well equipped, but the gas mileage gains from the 1.5-liter turbo are small, so if that’s the only factor, get the 2.0-liter.
The 2019 Ford Escape Titanium comes with leather seats, voice-activated navigation and more.
The 2019 Ford Escape Titanium comes with leather seats, voice-activated navigation and more.
The 2019 Ford Escape Titanium comes with leather seats, voice-activated navigation and more.
The 2019 Ford Escape Titanium comes with leather seats, voice-activated navigation and more.
The 2019 Ford Escape Titanium comes with leather seats, voice-activated navigation and more.
The 2019 Ford Escape Titanium comes with leather seats, voice-activated navigation and more.
Our Opinion: My wife has one of these, a 2017 model, and like the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the midsize segment, the Escape is my go-to comparison for the compact segment.
For starters, it’s good for kids. I put two child seats in the back and not only are they easy to attach, they don’t really infringe on the front seat area, at least with my 5-10 frame. In a pinch, another small child can squeeze between the child seats in back, to keep your progeny occupied. The cargo area measures 34 cubic feet, which is enough for a giant double stroller and a winter tire, in case you’re checking. The Titanium trim also comes with leather seats, which are much easier to clean than cloth.
This turbo four is way stronger than any Escape buyer needs it to be. Every time I step on the pedal, I think, “damn, this thing’s fast!” The throttle is sensitive, which is good for fast starts, not great for smooth starts. Shifts from the aging six-speed are fine and if you really want to have fun, start playing with the paddle shifters in sport mode. The engine is a little raspy, but that’s what happens when you push a four banger that far.
Base Price: $35,115
As-Tested Price: $37,010
Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4, six-speed automatic, AWD
Output: 245 hp @ 5,500 rpm; 275 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,755 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 21/27/23 mpg
Pros: More speed than a crossover buyer needs, good brakes too
Cons: Sized for little kids, teenagers and their stuff might be a problem
Ford’s steering setup always feels on the happy side to me. There’s a little bit of weight to work against, but it’s never a choir. The ratio seems quick enough and there’s a solid, planted on-center feel.
The Escape is a smaller vehicle, therefore big bumps and potholes will never be completely muted, but it’s quieter inside than expected, and they don’t really upset the balance or direction of the vehicle. It doesn’t feel too soft either. It’s just right. The interior styling is fine for this class of vehicle. There’s a lot of hard plastics, but it does have knobs for volume and climate control. Tuning still requires a bunch of button presses, but the Sony radio sounds great and the central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay works well. It may not be as pretty as some, but it works.
The Escape S starts at $24K and this Titanium starts at about $33K. The Mazda CX-5, which is one of my faves in the class, starts at $26K and goes up to about $35K. It probably has the best steering and handling in the class, but is way down on power compared to this Ford. The Rav4 sells well, and looks much better with the redesign, and the Honda CR-V could be the nicest, but they both only come with a CVT, which is annoying. Still, those are the four I would start with.
–Jake Lingeman, road test editor
Options: Ford Safe/Smart Plus Package with panoramic roof, lane keeping, adaptive cruise/collision warning, blind spot indicators, 19-inch wheels ($1,895)
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